Where Manti Te'o was concerned, however, was McKenzie not bold enough?

After the draft unfolded, Raiders beat writer Vic Tafur wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle that "the Chargers actually traded up to the 38th pick because they thought Te’o wouldn’t get past the Raiders, league sources said."

Tom Telesco dealt 45 and 110 to vault over the Raiders, among others, and take Te'o.

Given another chance, would McKenzie deal 42 and another pick to get Te'o?

It's easy to see why McKenzie, a former NFL linebacker, would like Te'o. "We’re looking for guys that love football, that are willing to work, and that want to put the team first,” Dennis Allen said. Te'o loves football. He played in 51 games at Notre Dame, starting 48 in a row. He spent long hours studying film. He was a team captain at Notre Dame last year.

McKenzie also had need at inside linebacker, despite signing several veterans. Allen runs a 4-3 scheme, and some football men, notably former Redskins GM Charley Casserly, say Te'o better suits a 4-3 than a 3-4.

Te'o won't be wearing silver and black, though. He'll be trying to stop the Raiders. One of the Raiders trying to block him will be tackle Menelik Watson. McKenzie took him 42nd, four spots after Telesco plucked Te'o. How their careers unfold will add spice to Chargers-Raiders matchups.